I felt a sinking sense of déjà vu as I listened to Colchester’s Local Plan meeting this week. I, and fellow campaigners, spoke at many Colchester meetings, issuing warnings about the north Essex ‘garden communities’. I was reminded, yet again, how the council has no interest in listening to residents when it presents evidence and analysis. Six articulate and informed members of the public raised legitimate and serious concerns about the inclusion of Middlewick Ranges in the Local Plan. The key issue is, of course, the unique habitat. It is a local wildlife site. Rare species abound. The acid grassland is rare, undisturbed and one of a few remaining in north Essex. The green space is precious to locals.
COLCHESTER’S High Steward has asked a top Government minister to meet him to discuss the plight of Middlewick Ranges. Sir Bob Russell, the town’s former MP, has written to Michael Gove, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, about the Ministry of Defence’s plans to build 1,000 homes at the popular beauty spot. The Defence Infrastructure Organisation is working up plans for 1,000 homes, a school and community facilities to be built on part of the much-loved wildlife haven once military operations stop at the site. Sir Bob called on Mr Gove to step in and halt the sale of the ranges, which is set to take place in 2022.
What is happening with the new Local Plan for Colchester?
We currently expect the new Local Plan to be considered by an independent government planning inspector as part of the Examination in Public (
EiP) in early 2021. We had previously thought this would have taken place during 2020 but it has been delayed due to the need for Modifications to the Section 1 part of the Local Plan to be considered.
If the
EiP concludes in 2021 and the Local Plan is found to be ‘sound’ by the inspector it could be adopted by the end of the year. The Middlewick Ranges site would then be formally allocated for a new housing development.
The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) has released a vision document for Middlewick Ranges, off Mersea Road, Colchester. Once military operations cease in 2022 The Wick, as it is affectionately known by residents, 1,000 homes are set to be built on part of the site. The vision document says a two class per year primary school will be built along with a new community hub featuring retail, leisure and community facilities. The site has been allocated for homes in Colchester Council’s Local Plan, but Berechurch and Old Heath and Hythe’s councillors have called for plans to be taken off the table.
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Detail of outcome
The DIO, on behalf of the MOD, undertook public consultation in the summer of 2019 on some initial ideas on how 1,000 homes could be sensitively and suitably brought forward. The consultation events were well attended, with approximately 540 visitors at the public exhibitions providing 231 pieces of written feedback.